The Epson PowerLite X15 Multimedia Projector is a portable data projector for classroom or conference room use, with some nice features such as a slider for horizontal image correction. Although its image quality is adequate for basic business or school use, there was enough color fringing that I would hesitate to use it for situations in which precise color is needed.

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The PowerLite X15's light source is based on the 3LCD technology developed by Epson. The projector provides XGA (1,024 by 768 pixel) native resolution, at a 4:3 aspect ratio suitable for most data presentations. From a distance of about 8 feet away, the projector was able to fill our test screen with an image about 60 inches on a diagonal. Its 3,000 rated lumens stood up well to ambient light, and should be fine for small to mid-sized classrooms or conference rooms.

The X15, white with rounded corners, is quite portable at 3.0 by 11.6 by 9.0 inches (HWD) and 5.1 pounds, but lacks the soft carrying case that comes with its lower-resolution sibling, the Epson PowerLite S11. The projector has a manual focus wheel and 1.2x zoom lever behind the lens. There you'll also find a slider for horizontal image correction, which allows you to get a straight image despite off-center positioning of the projector.

The X15 has a decent selection of ports: Two VGA ports (which double as component video) for connecting to computers; HDMI; monitor-out; audio-in and audio-out; S-video; a type B USB port; and a single yellow RCA jack for composite video. USB Plug'n'Play provides easy connectivity with Windows and (with a little setup) Mac computers. One thing that it lacks is the type A USB port, featured in the Epson PowerLite S11 ($399 direct).

Still and Video Image TestingIn our DisplayMate testing, the PowerLite X15 proved usable for typical data presentations, unless exacting color is required. The projector showed good detail in data images, especially in dark areas. Text was readable down to the smallest size. But although colors were bright, many images showed obvious green and or purple fringing: the top border between a bright and dark area (such as the top of the image) frequently showed as a green line, while the bottom border looked purple. Many data projectors show at least a trace of color fringing, but this was more severe than usual.

As for video, it showed the same sort of color fringing as it did in data images. In brighter areas, there was frequent loss of detail, as well as occasional traces of spurious color. Some backgrounds had a slightly hatched or textured look. As an LCD projector, the X15 is immune to the distracting rainbow effect seen in video from many DLP-based projectors such as the NEC NP64, which otherwise has good data and video image quality. But although you could get by with the X15 in showing occasional short clips as part of a presentation, there are better choices for displaying video, such as the Editors' Choice Epson PowerLite 93+.

Audio from its built-in 2-watt speaker is of decent quality and of sufficient volume for a smallish room.

The Epson PowerLite X15 Multimedia Projector is a reasonable choice as a portable XGA projector for typical classroom or conference room presentations, if you're not too picky about color. It has a decent feature set and port selection. Although it's as compact and lightweight as the Epson S11, it isn't as useful for portable operations as it lacks a carrying case and a USB type A port, which lets you run presentations computer-free off a USB thumb drive. The slightly heavier Editors' Choice Epson PowerLite 93+ also lacks a carrying case and port for a thumb drive, and it matches the Epson X15 in resolution and port selection. Although at 2,600 lumens the Epson 93+ isn't as bright as the X15, it did better in both data and video image testing.

About the Author

As Analyst for printers, scanners, and projectors, Tony Hoffman tests and reviews these products and provides news coverage for these categories. Tony has worked at PC Magazine since 2004, first as a Staff Editor, then as Reviews Editor, and more recently as Managing Editor for the printers, scanners, and projectors team.
In addition to editing, T... See Full Bio

Epson PowerLite X15 Multimedia ...

Epson PowerLite X15 Multimedia Projector

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